薯片
shǔpiàn
The English phrase "chips" (referring to thin, fried potato snacks) is translated into Chinese as 薯片 (shǔpiàn).
薯片 refers specifically to thin, fried slices of potato that are typically sold as a snack in a bag.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 薯片 is a compound of 薯, meaning potato or tuber and 片, meaning a slice or a thin piece.
Which one should you use?
Do not confuse 薯片 (shǔpiàn, potato chips) with 薯条 (shǔtiáo, french fries).
How do you pronounce it?
shǔpiàn
Did you know?
- In many Chinese regions, you might see 'potato' referred to as 土豆 (tǔdòu), which literally translates to 'dirt bean'.
- The first character in 薯片, 薯, is actually a shorthand for 红薯 which means 'sweet potato'.
- The character 片 is used for anything thin and flat, from a slice of potato to a petal or a piece of paper.
Examples in context
- 我不该把一整包薯片都吃完的。I shouldn't have eaten the whole bag of potato chips.This sentence shows how to express regret regarding eating a whole bag of 薯片.Tatoeba #8753049 by crescat, translation #953599 by CK
- 史蒂芬遞給伊莎貝拉一袋薯片。Stefan handed Isabella a bag of chips.This sentence describes the action of handing someone a bag of 薯片.Tatoeba #13544103 by LeviHighway, translation #11663040 by Amastan
- 英格兰是足球、鱼和薯片，还有女王的同义词。England is synonymous with football, fish & chips, and the Queen.This sentence uses 薯片 as part of a list of things synonymous with England.Tatoeba #5574736 by verdastelo9604, translation #941410 by bobson
- 请给我一包薯片。(Qǐng gěi wǒ yī bāo shǔ piàn.)Please give me a pack of chips.
- 我喜欢吃炸薯片。（Wǒ xǐ huān chī zhá shǔ piàn.）I like eating fried potato chips.
- 你要不要一份薯条？(Nǐ yào bù yào yī fèn shǔ tiáo?)Do you want a serving of French fries?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding on a snack while watching a movie.
- 梓涵 Zihan我们要买点薯片吗？Wǒmen yào mǎi diǎn shǔpiàn ma?Shall we buy some chips?
- 俊杰 Junjie好啊，我想吃原味的。Hǎo a, wǒ xiǎng chī yuánwèi de.Sure, I want the original flavor.
- 梓涵 Zihan这种薯片比较脆，你喜欢吗？Zhè zhǒng shǔpiàn bǐjiào cuì, nǐ xǐhuān ma?These chips are quite crunchy, do you like them?
- 俊杰 Junjie没问题，就买这一包吧。Méi wèntí, jiù mǎi zhè yī bāo ba.No problem, let's just get this bag.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
